title: [Hospital governance and the structure of German hospital supervisory boards].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When thinking about corporate governance frequently the supervisory board comes to mind. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the participation of single professions in the supervisory board and hospital financial performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on governance codes, relevant professions that should be part of the supervisory board are identified. With the help of a multiple regression, the relationship between the fractions of these professions in the supervisory board and the return on assets in the year 2009 is examined. The sample consists of 182 hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study shows that participation of physicians in the supervisory board is related to a higher return on assets. Furthermore, the association between the fractions of nurses and politicians and hospitals financial performance is ­negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The composition of the supervisory board has a significant effect on hospital performance; it is an important issue for hospital owners. The present study identifies only one positive relationship between the involvement of physicians and financial performance. Other professions could be relevant in achieving other objectives. Further studies are necessary to analyse the effects on other dimensions of hospital performance, e. g., on quality.
authors.affiliation: Seminar für Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Management im Gesundheitswesen, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuntz
authors.affiliation: KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pulm
authors.affiliation: Seminar für Allgemeine Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Management im Gesundheitswesen, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wittland
mesh_terms: D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005858:Germany; D006075:Governing Board / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009726:Nurses / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011057:Politics